VICTORIA, BC — BC Ferries officially unveiled the names of its new major vessels today, introducing the "Summit Class" as a cornerstone of its long-term fleet renewal strategy. The first four vessels in this class will be named Summit Arbutus, Summit Cedar, Summit Maple, and Summit Spruce, reflecting British Columbia's diverse natural environment and the communities served by the ferry system. These names were chosen through a collaborative process involving employees and external participants, emphasizing a connection to the province's landscapes.

The first four Summit Class vessels, approved by the BC Ferry Commission in 2025, are slated to enter service beginning in 2029, with all four anticipated to be fully operational by 2031. These new ships are designed to replace four of the oldest vessels currently in the fleet and will be deployed on some of BC Ferries' busiest routes. This renewal is critical as many of the largest existing ships are nearing the end of their service life, requiring more specialized maintenance and impacting reliability.

Each Summit Class vessel will significantly enhance capacity, capable of carrying up to 360 standard-sized vehicles and up to 2,100 passengers and crew. This represents an increase of approximately 80 vehicles and over 1,000 additional passengers compared to the vessels they will replace. Nicolas Jimenez, President and CEO of BC Ferries, highlighted that this investment aims to improve reliability, increase capacity, and strengthen the system to meet growing demand.

Ed Hooper, Head of Fleet Renewal at BC Ferries, noted that the Summit Class vessels are designed for standardization and interoperability. This means the identical ships can be interchanged across major routes, providing greater flexibility and resilience when operational issues arise. This consistency also allows for seamless alignment with terminal infrastructure and consistent crewing and scheduling, ultimately contributing to more reliable service.

Eric McNeely, President of the BC Ferry & Marine Workers’ Union, affirmed that union members will be instrumental in operating, loading, repairing, maintaining, and staffing the new Summit Class vessels, underscoring their ongoing commitment to connecting coastal communities. While these four vessels are a key initial step, BC Ferries anticipates adding additional Summit Class vessels in the future, subject to further approval from the BC Ferry Commission, with decisions guided by affordability, safety, and reliability.